Setanta Cup/ Cork City 2 Drogheda Utd 0: Cork City took advantage of Drogheda United's ill-fortune to reverse the result of last season's FAI Cup final at Turner's Cross last night. Drogheda had two players sent off in separate incidents within 60 seconds of each other mid-way through the second half of a game that was uneventful until then.

First Stephen Bradley was shown a straight red card when he kicked Denis Behan as the Cork player ran past him in the 75th minute, and when Keith Fahey protested he was shown a yellow card.

The seriousness of this became apparent within a minute when Fahey was late with a challenge on Danny Murphy and the second yellow he received for that offence meant a red card dismissal. Whatever chance Drogheda had of recovering the one-goal lead Cork enjoyed at the time was lost.

Cork went on to make the points secure with a second goal in the 80th minute. A cross from Joe Gamble on the right was turned into the net by Drogheda centre back Jason Gavin.

Drogheda made one change from the team that beat Dungannon Swifts. New signing Shane Barrett, from Longford Town, came in at centre forward in place of Mark Leech, who is on duty with Ireland's Under-21 against Sweden tonight.

Cork also made a change from their drawn encounter with Portadown. Neale Fenn was rested and Denis Behan came in to support John O'Flynn at centre-forward.

Drogheda contrived to look more likely to break the deadlock before the interval for they were more direct and more effective. Shane Robinson was narrowly over after Danny Murphy had turned away a shot from Shane Barrett in the 33rd minute. It was Keith Fahey's turn to threaten in the 38th minute when he powered a shot narrowly over.

Drogheda were rocked on their heels, however, when Cork produced a goal so expertly taken it was in total contrast to much of what was produced. Denis Behan spun outside the penalty area to leave goalkeeper Dan Connor reduced to the role of spectator with a right-foot volley from 25 yards.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy; O'Donovan (McCarthy 89 mins), O'Brien, O'Callaghan (Woods 85 mins), Gamble; Behan, O'Flynn (Fenn 83 mins).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gavin, Gray, Webb; Fahey, Whelan, Bradley, Robinson; O'Brien (Fitzpatrick 65 mins), Barrett (Keegan 83 mins).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).